Do lawyers need media training?

November 29, 2016

As the world increasingly relies on the Internet and Internet-connected devices to communicate, it is important for lawyers to be comfortable with social media. With the accessibility of all types of media coverage today, even those lawyers who are rarely on camera or in the news should be knowledgeable of social media. Every lawyer should have at least rudimentary understanding of how social media works and could benefit from media training lawyers trust.

Lawyers also need to be aware of the challenges caused by the increase of social media communication. This type of communication could be used to defend a client, provide necessary information to pursue a case, or even help solve a case. With this information, lawyers have a responsibility to ensure that sensitive information is not leaked to the public.

There are many ways that social media can be used by lawyers to promote their business and provide access to clients. The American Bar Association offers information on how law firms can leverage their social media presence and utilize social media tools correctly.

Client Awareness

Many of your potential clients will look through social media outlets to find information about legal services. Lawyers that are trained to respond promptly to client requests may be more likely to get new referrals for their services, and more able to convert contacts into clients. These are just two reasons why it may be vital to understand the basics of how to respond to your clients through social media.

Potential clients of your law firm need to be aware that you’re in business to help them. Media training can help attract and draw in those clients.

Understanding and Clarity

The training that lawyers get in law school doesn’t necessarily prepare them to interact with the public through social media. They may be great in a courtroom or in a business setting, but not so great at projecting a public image. Media training can help lawyers seem more credible to the public. It can also help in clarifying areas that may be confusing to the general public.

Media coaching can help you come across as a professional and help your audience understand your message.

Reputation Building and Name Recognition

Lawyers are quite often judged by how effective they are in defending their clients’ reputations. Lawyers need a general understanding of how reputations can be damaged online. They need to understand the basic tools and resources available to help them defend their client’s reputation. Media training can help lawyers get a grasp of the nuances involved in reputation management.

It is not enough to understand the underlying rules and regulations in regards to technology. Lawyers need to be able to access that information and follow up with the changes that may affect the laws surrounding social media use.

In the same way, lawyers need to understand how social media affects name recognition. If they don’t have a basic understanding, they could get themselves or their clients into trouble.

Evidence for a Trial-Forensic and Character Witness

Media training may help lawyers uncover evidence that could be used in a trial. For instance, Facebook posts can be utilized to make a case for a person’s behavior patterns. Email messages can be scanned to uncover data and provide information on a person’s character. It is becoming increasingly important that lawyers have at the very least a basic knowledge of social media platforms.

Forensic investigations based on scouring social media accounts for evidence are becoming more and more prevalent. Lawyers who haven’t got the media training they need could miss out on uncovering critical information for their clients.